Some lessons you learn from making mistakes. Some you have to learn quickly in order to survive. Others you learn thanks to your multiple crazy family members. Growing up as the oldest of four siblings leaves me with a lot of stories and a lot of different life experiences to share not just with them, but with everyone I encounter. I have found that people who grew up as only children or with just one sibling have a very different outlook on life than those that grew up with more than one sibling. Here are some life lessons that I learned from going up in a big family.
1. How to share
Kindergarten is infamous for teaching children how to share. In a big family, though, that is a skill that you learn very quickly. If you’re lucky enough to be the oldest, you get a little bit of time to be babied, but as soon as your sibling comes along, everything you have suddenly becomes theirs too. At least you’ll be prepared to live with someone in the future.
2. How to work as a team
There’s nothing that teaches teamwork like being tied to your brother and being told to scrub the bathroom floor with a toothbrush (yes, that did happen to me). Working well as part of a team to get things done at home helps outside of the home for things such as jobs or having a family of your own.
3. How to argue
Families argue…a lot. I know at my house there is at least one small argument a day, usually more. Learning how to disagree is a big part of life. A big family means lots of different opinions. You truly learn how to defend yourself in a (mostly) civil way and learn the importance of accepting the differences you might have.
4. How to take being teased
Big families know everything about each other and therefore know all of the buttons they could possibly push. If other big families are anything like mine, everyone teases each other constantly. It is always out of love, though. Growing up in that atmosphere helps you take people’s jokes and jabs like they are nothing and you are able to laugh along with them.
5. How to work for what you want
Nothing in life is free (except, of course, t shirts on a college campus). You have to work to get results, whether that is at a job or in a relationship. With multiple siblings, no one can get every single thing they want. You have to help out around the house so that everything can be done and you are able to get those extra shopping days or dinners out.
6. How to communicate
With six people in one house it is often hard to communicate. There are a lot of Marco Polo games played to find each other in the house or just yelling “DINNER!” and hoping everyone hears you. Your family members are the best people to confide in, so being around so many people helps you learn to listen and really speak what is on your mind if there is a problem.
7. I will always have three best friends
No matter where you go or what you do, your siblings will always be there for you. You all created a bond through doing things from cleaning mold off of individual toys to spending the night on the living room floor when the power was out. Those memories will last forever, and I know I can’t wait to tease my siblings at family reunions in the future.
